Page:Singular life, adventures, and depredations of David Haggart, the murderer.pdf/21

21 thus they never fail me. This was true; his fingers reached all to one exact length, d is rather curious, but by no means singular, or as being confined to that individual. gentleman present, who was esteemed for researches in philosophy and nature said, My lad, make a good use of your long-fork- fingers, as many have done before you; e of the best emperors that ever lived had the like, and so had a celebrated  professor of music; the one was a virtuous, just, enlightened, and most exalted sovereign; and the other, what Pope terms, a noble work-an nest man; and I could quote several other amples." —Haggert only sneered at the remark and advice, joined together, and said, "Fate was fate."--An unhappy conclusion, too many out of the right line, who let things come and go as they will, and never put their shoulders to the wheel, but accuse predestination of all  their wants and woes.

Haggart gives the following account of his habits and the peculiar vices which marked his character, describing also some of those cious characters by whom he was initiated to all the mysteries of iniquity.

"I never was given to drink, further than it promoted fun in society; but I was inordinately fond of raffles, cards, and dancing, and this led me to the company of loose feales, that caused my ruin; and all I got I